Dreaded Engine Compartment

 After getting the exterior and interior whipped into shape, I decided the one other area that I'd always wanted to address was the engine compartment.  You see the car was originally white, so all underhood sheet metal was white.  But the exterior has been black since about 1970, and black exterior looks so awesome on this car.  So the challenge becomes how to make all that white sheet metal black under the hood.

Here's three before pictures:

Taking the bonnet off (that's British for hood) does provide some great access.  But still there's a lot of very cramped spaces with white sheet metal.  You could pull the engine/transmission to clear out access.  I've pulled this engine, not a job I want to do again.

My friend Ray has gotten pretty good at engine bay painting using painter's tape, aluminum foil, and rags to mask off the area being painted.  He also uses a combination of spray cans and brush paint.  So Ray helped me get started.  Painting black also was helpful, fairly forgiving as you get into deep dark recesses.  So after about 10 manhours of effort, here's the result:

We also polished the pretty aluminum cam covers and carbs.  I think it turned out pretty darn good.  The paint is kinda shiny now, but I am confident that over the coming years this old British car will tend to cover the shiny black with an oil sheen that may make it all look original.

Here's some pics with bonnet back in place:

So now I need to find a car show somewhere to show this thing off!